It appears that UK-based MG Motor, a subsidiary of China’s SAIC Motor, has cleared all the hurdles to acquire GM’s Halol plant in Gujarat. The company confirmed entering the Indian market a few months ago, and was still in search of a manufacturing facility if Halol didn’t work out.
The company said that it would invest Rs 2,000 Crore initially, and the manufacturing facility, spread over 170 acres, is expected to be completely revamped by 2019. The plant will have an initial capacity of 80,000 units per annum.
SAIC has hired former GM executives for its India operations; Rajiv Chaba will lead the brand as the President and MD, while P. Balendran will be the Executive Director.
GM has been a long time partner for SAIC in China. The duo has formed a JV named SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, producing passenger and commercial vehicles for the Chinese market.
One of the products that might be offered in India is the GS SUV. In UK, it is offered with 166 PS 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol, paired to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT.
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